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Your recoveries, week by week...share please!!

By majatummy on 27 Feb 2011

I am now 2 1/2 weeks. Feeling so much better in many ways, but still pretty tired, and so slow. The issue is no longer pain for me, but it is this constant state of discomfort. My tummy burns and tingles, especially when I go from sitting to standing, but also whenever I move. My sides feel tender and almost bruised, and no matter which garment I wear, they all pinch, or poke or rub somewhere that adds to the joy. Driving or riding in the car is no fun because all the little bumps make me feel the raw sensation of my skin. My belly button is no longer crusty, just has a red ring around it, so it looks pretty good. My scar is still scabby and crusty in places, and it also continues to ooze clear fluid in new places on different mornings!? I look great (except the scar), but must still be swollen in the hips because I still can only wear yoga pants. And I still am slightly bent over standing...can't arch my back at all so my butt looks sunken in. It would be great to hear from a few people a little bit further and get an idea of how long until I start feeling a little more normal...I know it will be several months to totally normal, but I'd like to hear other people's status and get an idea of what I could look forward to in the near term!!

Comments (25)

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Angiemcc (Community Manager) 28 Feb 2011

Check out Kimmers' Month-By-Month Tummy Tuck Diary. Hope this helps!

Linda50 3 Mar 2011
I am now six weeks and just starting to feel normal. I work in a very physically demanding job and have had helpers whenever I am there. I own a doggy day care and boarding facility. So I've been treating myself like a porcelain doll. Afraid to cough, sneeze or anything. Well on Monday 2/28 I was knocked to the ground by a big pup excited to see her mom. My entire lobby gasped and I was scared to death. Guess what?? I didn't break! And that was the sign I needed. I now feel much better the fogginess in my head is lifting and I think I am going to be okay. Prior to that I felt fragile and scared. So, it's all different but I feel like I have crossed a milestone.
Sydney593 28 Jun 2011
hi

iam 4 months tt /lipo gone i have returned to work simerly to your job i work at a kenell place where i hose out kennells wash bowls i do a bit of bending iam swollen and get a bit of burning am i doing to much i work 4 hrs a day 5 days none stop this a new job how are you felling
Linda50 29 Jun 2011
Sydney, I'm actually feeling pretty good. I do everything I did before surgery except lift heavy dogs or big bags of food. I am 5 months post, will be 6 months post on the 19th of next month. What a difference reaching that 5 month point will be for you. It sounds cliche, but listen to your body. If you are sore and swollen, take it a little easy. And yes, I did swell at 4 months post. I don't know what happens between month 4 and 5 but there is a change. Plus I have found that this I have stayed moderately active during my recovery, I was able to do things sooner than I had originally anticipated. So good luck!
Barbie892 5 Mar 2011
Since reading stories here on Real Self, I've learned that each recovery is different. For me the first few days were the toughest then I bounced back pretty quickly so I feel fortunate. Wrote all about it in my TT review.

Best Wishes on your recovery!
Acworthmom 8 Mar 2011
I am at alost 4 weeks and all the things you describe are what I have been going through also. The burning is the nerves regenerating, so that is a good thing and the sharp little pains in the side from my understanding is the stitches used to hold down the skin underneath, at least that is what my PS said it is for me. It feels like a sunburn under the skin to me. You will really get better each day, but have to endure some discomfort for a while. I have also had a lot of trouble with the compression garments. The binder they gave me feels o.k. but gives me a heat rash. I tried the spanx thing and I feel like I can't breath or sit down in them. I don't have any great advise except to be patient, but I wanted you to know that it is all normal and my ps said it will be much better by 6 weeks.
majatummy 15 Mar 2011
Back with you girls! I just returned from a trip to Mexico with my elderly parents...this trip came up after I had my surgery scheduled, and my PS thought that at 3.5 weeks, IF I took it easy (which I figured I would traveling w/ two eighty year olds) I'd be OK to do this. First morning I woke in Mexico, I noticed my incision had opened in two places. I swear I didn't do anything strenuous on the travel day...had porters and terminal employees doing all the pushing and lifting. I was at a loss, and in a mild panic. Over the following 24 hours the openings expanded, getting longer and wider, until the larger one was nearly 1 1/2 inches long and about 1/2 inch wide. Needless to say I freaked. Fortunately, reached my PS and he calmed me down. Told me that this happens, more often earlier, like one week/ten days, but it was not a major issue. Truth told, it looks pretty disgusting. I have to keep it clean and it will heal, slowly closing over from the edges, and that it probably won't look much different from the rest of the scar in about 4 more weeks. Still, a bit of unexpected drama for me, horrifiying to experience in Mexico. I'm home now and all seems well, just keeping the incision clean and waiting for my body to heal itself.
Linda50 15 Mar 2011
OMG! I would have FREAKED out! I had to make my bed today, post op 8 weeks, actually change the sheets and stuff and I worried the entire time that I was doing damage. I can't imagine being in Mexico and having that experience. So glad you are home and healing again. I admire that you were able to handle it so well! I wonder sometimes if I'll ever be 100% sure I won't mess something up. However, that being said, as each week goes by, I do find that I am getting better and my limitations are more mental than physical. Hang in there Maja!
Acworthmom 15 Mar 2011
Hey Linda, I wanted to ask you...I'm about 5 weeks now and the past few days I have noticed that without the binder on I get the nauseous feeling and kind of short of breath. I had stopped wearing it unless I was shopping or something, but now had to put it back on. I kind of figured it might be that the swelling is going down so there is nothing to hold everything in place as I move. Did you ever have that feeling. It is just above the belly button that I feel it. How is your swelling and numbness doing?
Linda50 15 Mar 2011
Ac, I didn't swell like most due to having had the quilting procedue. I did swell, but not swell hell. I'm laughing as I read this because I'm sitting here with my binder on. I actually went to my PS and bought a smaller one! I wore my binder almost religiously for about 7 weeks. Yup, I used it as my pacifer for that long. I took it off a few times but not often. Now, I mostly wear a Spanx garment. However, when I first began to wear Spanx, I felt weird. Short of breath, I think was my fear. Didn't feel nauseous but didn't feel "safe", if you know what I mean. Now I'm pretty good. I have it on tonight because I had a tough day at work today and needed to have the binder do the support of me not just me. I'll only wear it a few hours and then back to Spanx. I always have it in my car though so if I need my security blanket it's there. I also had a breast reduction and this morning my right breast is tender and sore. All part of the healing, but unsettling. I have to say this past week was the best I have felt since surgery. Something happens and you just kind of forget that a few short weeks ago, you thought you were going to break into two pieces.
Linda50 15 Mar 2011
Oh and now that I have healed to this point and have most of the feeling back in most areas, I do notice how numb I am in the belly button area. And because it's numb, it feels hard, although it really isn't. I'll get used to it just when whatever amount of feeling that is going to return, actually returns. I had a face lift 8 years ago and am still numb in places. As strange as it may seem now, you actually do get used to it.
Linda50 15 Mar 2011
Oh and last comment, I swear! When you are weaning yourself from you binder, you are going to feel strange things because you are using muscles you haven't used in 5 weeks. So expect some feeling of uncertainty.
Acworthmom 16 Mar 2011
Thanks Linda. You were really helpful. I was just starting to feel that I felt better 2 weeks ago than I do now, but I guess it's just that I'm getting tired of it all. I think I will do like you and just embrace the binder for another week or two even if it bothers the crap out of me. I am going to the beach in April and have to feel up to a 5 hour drive by then hell or high water.
Sunshine90 16 Mar 2011
I am also 2.5 weeks TT post op and am surprised by the burning sensation like majatummy said. It feels so raw. Anyone else experience this post op?
Acworthmom 16 Mar 2011
Yes! It feels like a sunburn inside your skin. I am now 5 weeks post op and will give you some good news. Although there are still periods of tenderness and tightness, the nerve regenerating pain you are talking about was only really bad for a week or so, and now it is mild. It is a good thing as it means the nerves are healing. Hope this helps.
Moxiemom 18 Mar 2011
Hey guys...new here. I am 2 weeks post op and I am driving my husband crazy!!! I feel a bit deformed.... I can't stand up straight and my butt is turned in....so it is making my lower ab (area between the belly button and my pubis) look really small...... I feel like I will never straighten out.
Also.... I measured myself and I am only down 1inch off my belly and everywhere else is the same.
Does anyone feel like maybe this was too much pain and troubler for a few inches??
Also my upper abs really swell....especially after eating or at the end of the day.....
Am I loosing it here??? Thanks for your support!
Cass25 18 Mar 2011
I love my new stomach!! I went down a few inches and I am only 4 weeks post. My pants are down one size but I can wear lower rise jeans and not the mommy high waisted ones I have been. I was standing up just before three weeks and I still have to stand up slower since I feel a mild pull. I would do it over again in a heart beat!

Give yourself a little more time! A lot will change, you are only 2 weeks and still have tons of swelling! At two weeks I could not even button my old jeans and I was up a little in my weight and two weeks later I am 4lbs down
beachmomdk 18 Mar 2011
I love the way my tummy looks and think it was worth it. I am not going to measure myself until after all the swelling has gone. I can finally stand up straight after 5 weeks. It gets better! my pants are still thirty but my tummy flat!
majatummy 19 Mar 2011
I'm just past 5 weeks. My tummy changes every day...sometimes it's puffier below the belly button, sometimes above. Even the appearance of my belly button changes. Depending on which compression garment I wear, I get bumps and ridges in the weirdest places. My abdomen acts like it's made of memory foam!
I don't think any of us will know what our final results are for several months, so be patient, and I agree, don't pay attention to measurements OR weight for a long time.
Houston0146 20 Mar 2011
I am 6 weeks and 3 days post op today. I am not wearing a binder or garment in the night. Have been wearing a spanx thing during the day. Today have not worn the spanx either but though there is no pain there is a lot of swelling, i dont know if it is because of not wearing the spanx or it would still be there regardless. The swelling is above the belly button also. And it is quite a hard band.
I am going to the doctor on monday, for a 6wk post op appt. let's see what he says.
My scar is healing and looks better as the weeks are going by. I am using palmer's vitamin e oil.
I can sleep side ways and on my back with my legs straight. ( I dont know if it is ok to keep your legs straight when you are sleeping on your back as it does pull at the incision site.) I did do 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday, but i went slow like at 2.7 instead of 4.2 which I used to do befor the tt.
beachmomdk 20 Mar 2011
I am 5 weeks and 3 days and started back to the gym 4 days ago. My stomach looks so good even though it is still swollen! I found a tank top with a compression binder in it for the gym and still wearing my compression garments. I sleep in the one they gave me at the hospital it is the most comfortable but have to have tank top under it. I still have some pain above the belly button I am thinking that it is from where they fixed the muscles. Pain along the incision site but much better. I did an hour on the step mill very slowly! When does all the swelling go away? And I would like to lose about 10 more lbs hoping that doesn't mess things up.
Acworthmom 20 Mar 2011
I am almost 6 weeks and I still have a lot of swelling also. I am flat in the morning, but by the afternoon, my lower belly is a hard bulge from swelling. My ps said this could last 3-6 months, but lets hope not. Until the swelling stops I don't know how you coud ever wear anything but spandex because if you wore jeans they wouldn't allow for the afternoon swelling. Are you still in sweats and spandex or are you able to wear regular clothes?
beachmomdk 20 Mar 2011
Hi,
I am still in sweats and binder. I tried on my jeans but they were killing me. My stomach is just too sore to wear anything else! I sure hope it doesn't last 6 months. But I am going to try and lose a few more lbs so maybe they will be less tight! They didn't fit before surgery (most of them) because my uterus was so big and swollen i was thinking oh I will be back in them in 6 weeks I can see that is not going to happen.
Acworthmom 20 Mar 2011
I can't even lose weight to get in mine because I am underweight as it is. I am 5'6" and weight 115 right now. I think until everyting softens up it would be hard to feel comfortable in jeans. When it warms up a little more I will try sundresses and maybe skirts. My stomach looks really flat, but it's likely I will wear a differnt size than before, just because it kind of changes your shape in general. Let me know when you conquer the jeans and I'll do the same.
beachmomdk 20 Mar 2011
I wish I was under weight! I am at 129 and 5'3". At 51 years old I have all the hormone issues etc, so now with a new tummy I am hoping to lose more weight, I have lost almost 9 lbs since surgery! I will keep you posted on the jeans,

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